Latex glove sensitivity amongst diagnostic imaging healthcare personnel: a study in Southeastern Nigeria.

The paper reports a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and type of symptoms, causal agents and awareness of latex glove reactions amongst four professional groups. The study was done at diagnostic imaging departments within ten major hospitals in Southeastern Nigeria. Radiologists/resident radiologists, radiographers, radiology nurses and darkroom technicians who were occupationally exposed to latex gloves were investigated between June and September 2006 to determine the level of latex hypersensitivity. The results show that prevalence is similar to that demonstrated elsewhere with 12.4% of individuals expressing latex associated symptoms. Symptoms included itching and redness of hands, dry cracked skin, soreness of eyes, and upper respiratory tract complaints. There are strong relationships between number of gloves used per day, duration of glove use and expression of symptoms. About 62.8% (n=76) of the respondents had previous knowledge of hypersensitivity reaction to latex gloves prior to this investigation. The paper concludes that latex hypersensitivity is a real problem amongst diagnostic imaging healthcare personnel in our locality. This preliminary work, therefore, provides the basis of a much larger controlled study in the future

The effect of culture on Corporate Governance Practices in Nigeria

This study focuses on the effect of culture on the application of corporate governance practices in Nigeria. Corporate governance has been receiving serious attention in emerging markets over the past two decades. But relatively little attention has been given to the study on corporate governance in a country study. The current situations in Nigerian public and private sectors such as the corporate scandal resulting from Lever Brothers Nigeria plc, Siemens, Shell, Halliburton, and Cadbury Nigeria plc, have shown that the issue of fraud, corruption, and corporate scandals cannot be overlooked. Most top management, as this study argues, bring in beliefs acquired from their early childhood into their senior management roles and responsibilities. This study adopts a grounded theory and reports on the effect of culture on the implementation of corporate governance in Nigeria. Based on the interview with 32 staffs, this study identifies the effect of culture that shapes corporate governance and they include abuse of power by top management, weak legal framework, poor recruitment and ineffective control. Although having efficient corporate governance is worth pursuing, this depends on the power of top management, the strength of internal control procedures and the legal framework put in place by management

The Correlation Between Ultrasound-Measured Fetal Heart Rate and Gestational Age in a Normal Pregnant Nigerian Population

A total of 400 apparently healthy pregnant women with singleton fetuses from Enugu, Southeast Nigeria were randomly selected for the study. The aims of the study are to establish: a normogram for fetal heart rate (FHR) and the relationship between fetal heart rate and gestational age (GA) by 2–D ultrasound. Crown rump length measurement was used for estimating GA in the first trimester while femur length and biparietal diameter measurements were used for estimating GA in the second and third trimesters. Result shows that the normal range of FHR was 120 to 162 beats per minute (BPM). There was a statistically significant negative correlation of FHR with GA in the first, second, third and combined trimesters as the coefficient of correlation, r = -0.652, -0.736, -0.8185 and -0883 respectively. The study shows that a unit increase in GA decreases the FHR by 32%, 15%, 12.6% and 13% in the first, second, third and combined trimesters respectively. Results suggest that FHR measurement should be done routinely as one of the essential parameters for the assessment of fetal well being by ultrasound. Keywords: Fetal heart rate, Gestational age, Obstetric sonography Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Science Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 73-7

Health Impacts Of Radiofrequency Exposure From Mobile Phone And Their Transmitter Base Stations.

Background: The widespread use of mobile phones and indiscriminate siting of transmitter base stations near residential buildings in our environment may have serious health impacts. Objective: To investigate the possible health risks associated with radiofrequency (RF) exposure from mobile phones and other transmitter base stations. Methods: A literature review by internet browsing, medline and their transmitter base stations. Results: There are epidemiological evidences showing that low intensity pulse radiation from mobile phones and base station antennae have serious health impacts. However, there are few independent replications of some of these effects at present. There is also poor information about mechanisms of radiation interactions, dosimetry issues and dose response effects. Conclusion: The global system of mobile communication (GSM) have public health implications. Exposures should be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Keywords: Mobile phones, Transmitter base stations, RF radiation, RadiologyNQJHM Vol. 16 (1) 2005: pp. 20-2

Latex glove sensitivity amongst diagnostic imaging healthcare personnel: a study in Southeastern Nigeria.

The paper reports a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and type of symptoms, causal agents and awareness of latex glove reactions amongst four professional groups. The study was done at diagnostic imaging departments within ten major hospitals in Southeastern Nigeria. Radiologists/resident radiologists, radiographers, radiology nurses and darkroom technicians who were occupationally exposed to latex gloves were investigated between June and September 2006 to determine the level of latex hypersensitivity. The results show that prevalence is similar to that demonstrated elsewhere with 12.4% of individuals expressing latex associated symptoms. Symptoms included itching and redness of hands, dry cracked skin, soreness of eyes, and upper respiratory tract complaints. There are strong relationships between number of gloves used per day, duration of glove use and expression of symptoms. About 62.8% (n=76) of the respondents had previous knowledge of hypersensitivity reaction to latex gloves prior to this investigation. The paper concludes that latex hypersensitivity is a real problem amongst diagnostic imaging healthcare personnel in our locality. This preliminary work, therefore, provides the basis of a much larger controlled study in the future

THE EFFECTS OF MENOPAUSE ON THE SERUM LIPID PROFILE OF NORMAL FEMALES OF SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

Dyslipidemia in menopause is a known feature in women, whether it leads to significant increase in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) is still controversial, more so in our environment where little work has been done. The present study is aimed at comparing the level of total serum cholesterol, including its subunits in premenopausal with that of their postmenopausal counterparts. This is to enable us ascertain the relative risk of developing cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women in our environment. One hundred and twenty six (126) apparently healthy, non-pregnant females (74 premenopausal and 52 postmenopausal) were recruited for the study. Serum total cholesterol and their subfractions- high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and triglycerides (TG) were estimated using enzymatic and established mathematical methods. There was no significant difference in the total serum cholesterol and triglyceride between the two groups. There was however, a significant reduction of HDL and VLDL in the postmenopausal group (P<0.005) and a significant increase in the level of LDL in the postmenopausal group (P<0.005). The elevated LDL and the reduction of cardio protective HDL and VLDL is an indication that menopause is an independent risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in our environment

Epidemiology and pattern of limb amputations at a private hospital in Owerri, Imo State, South-East Nigeria

Background: Amputation of either the upper or lower extremities in man presents a special public health challenge due to the problems associated with patients’  rehabilitation.Objective: To determine the epidemiology and pattern of limb amputations in a private medical setting in Owerri, Imo State.Methodology: This was a 5-year retrospective epidemiological study of a total of 251patients who had amputations between 2006 and 2010.Results: Out of 251 patients studied, 166 (66.14%) were males while 85 (38.86%) were females. Lower limb amputations (LLA) occurred more frequently (189) than upper limb amputations (ULA) (62) in the ratio of 3:1. The age group with the  highest rate of amputation (LLA) in both sexes was 41-60 years (64%). Trauma was the most common reason for upper limb amputations (75.8%), while peripheral  vascular disease was the most frequent indication for lower limb amputation  (49.8%). The occupational group with the highest rate of amputation was the commercial motor cyclists (33.9%), followed by commercial drivers (21.5%). The pattern of amputation showed that digits/toes amputations were the most frequent procedures (35.1%) followed by below knee/below elbow amputations (27.2%).Conclusion: Amputations were more in the males of the productive age range, and most of them were in the lower limbs. Trauma was the most frequent indication for limb amputations. This has a far-reaching effect on family and state economy.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, trauma, peripheral, vascular diseas